Fighting On The Art Field
Chatting with Tarantula: Authors And Art feature artist of April 2022, Iryna Maksymova
If you are new or have landed on Tarantula: Authors and Art for the very first time, welcome to our monthly interview with our featured artist. Throughout April, we were lucky to get acquainted with the art of two Ukrainian artists who have been displaced since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. You can find the interview with the fist artist by clicking on the link. Now it is time to share with you the thoughts and wishes of an painter belonging to a younger generation of Ukrainian artists, Iryna Maksymova.
If a friend forwarded you this article, welcome; why not subscribe?
A woman rides a horse with a necklace of berries instead of clothes. Powerful, holding a rifle or a sword, but at the same time open-hearted, full of life and passion. These are the associations that come to mind when looking at the paintings by Ukrainian artist Iryna Maksymova.
You can hear a pulse of life in her artwork. Maybe because of the vivid colors she uses or the simple words written on it: “love,” “boys,”“the girl.” Or maybe because of the funny facial expressions of the object she paints despite the deep, strong meaning hiding underneath them all.
Facing the Russian invasion of her homeland Ukraine, her paintings take on an even stronger relevance. The berry kalyna, which she uses in almost all her works, symbolizes the courage of the people who spill their blood in the war for their homeland.
A woman of courage and strength is a symbol of the victory that the world is waiting for. “I can’t fight on the battlefield, but I can protect culture and fight on the art field” says this painter that belongs to a younger generation of artist, whose works are now spreading around the world, supporting her country with donations.
TARANTULA: AUTHORS AND ART: Iryna, you moved to Portugal when the Russian war against your country started. Tell us where is your home in Ukraine?
Iryna Maksymova: I spent my childhood in a small town Kolomyia in the Western part of Ukraine near the Carpathian Mountains. At the age of 19 I moved to the bigger city Lviv to study in the university and I lived there ever since. But recently, due to the Russian war against Ukraine, I had to leave my country and for the last four weeks I have been living in Portugal. But as soon as the war is over, I am planning to move back to my country.
Where did you get the message that the war in Ukraine had started and what was the reaction or actions you made on the first days?
My mom called me at 7 a.m. Frankly speaking, I didn’t believe her at first. But when I realized that it was true, and the war was real, I started to panic really badly. I had a lot of thoughts but my final plan was to leave the country so I can continue working and helping by donating the so much needed money.
What is your daily life today?
During my trip to Portugal I made a lot of sketches and right now I am trying to work as much as possible every day.
What is the main idea behind your works?
Kindness, Equality, Peace.
How much of Ukrainian heritage or impact is in your works?
A lot because in every work I try to add little hints about Ukraine, Ukrainian culture and history.
Could you tell us about some of the symbols you use in your works? For example, are berries that we see in your paintings something from your heritage?
Yes, one of The Ukrainian symbols I usually use is kalyna (viburnum or red berries) which symbolizes courage of the people who spill their blood in the war for their homeland. Also, characters in my paintings often wear accessories such as red necklaces and wreaths symbolizing vitality, strength and dignity.
You choose women as a main object in your works.
I am a woman, and I try to focus on our (women) power, importance, and equality.
Women in your artworks are naked and at the same time we see them in a strong position, holding swords like a woman with an open heart and power. Is it how you see Ukrainian women?
Yes, I see Ukrainian women like that, and I would love for every woman in the world to feel that power.
Now we see Ukrainian women as strong and united as ever. Does this strength come from personal stories passed from generation to generation, are they part of your country’s heritage?
Actually, I can’t say that I have taken it from somebody as an example. It is more that I would like to be strong myself and convey that to everybody.
You also paint dogs, horses, dolphins and other animals that appear in your works.
Animals symbolize living creatures and the idea that we are all equal and united.
Your colors are very bright and full of vitality. Where does this inspiration come from?
My father is a painter. He is a landscape painter and in his works he often uses very bright and vivid colors. Perhaps, I took it from him.
Tell us more about your creative process?
I don’t believe in the creative process as such. I believe that you have to work hard and don’t wait for everything. Hard and continuous work will bring experience, confidence, opportunities, more ideas and even more work.
Does creativity or art form change as a consequence of the war in your home land?
Yes, I am continuing to work to be able to support my country. And yes, my current artworks are more about victory, power and courage inspired by Ukrainian people.
How do you identify yourself in these circumstances?
Like a Ukrainian woman fighting for her country.
Do you think art remains important in extreme situations like the war?
Of course, art is an integral part of the culture. I can’t fight on the battlefield, but I can protect culture and fight on the art field. Art helps me convey the message about Ukraine and the situation there even being far away.
You have written the words “Peace please” on your Instagram account. What is the definition of peace today for you? When will you feel peace again?
First, we need a victory over the aggressor – the Russian Federation, second, we need peace in the whole world, and only then it can be called peace again.
How can we as artists working all over the world contribute to building freedom in the world?
I think telling all kinds of truths in your artworks and projects can make a difference, no matter if it is ugly or bad.
Thank you Iryna for chatting with us!
To find out more about Iryna Maksymova’s work, please visit her Instagram page @maksymova.art
In honour of our Ukrainian artists, we will donate all new yearly paid subscriptions that we get during the month of April to help Ukraine.
If you currently can’t help financially, help us spread the word! In addition to following Daria’s majestic work on Tarantula: Authors and Arts’ Substack page, follow us on Instagram for more of her art @tarantula_authors_and_art
 | A guest post by
|